Dry-sealing envelope



April 9, 1940. v.|-:. HEYwooD Y DRY-SEALING ENVELOPE Filed May 20, 19362 Sheets-Sheet 1 v. E. HEYwooD DRY-SEALING ENvELoPE Filed May 20, 1936 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 9, 1940 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DRY-SEALING ENVvELOPE Vincent E. Heywood, Worcester, Mass., assigner toUnited States Envelope Company, Sprlngfield, Mass., a' corporation ofMaine Application May 2o, 1936, serial No. 80,820

1s claims. (01229-70) The present invention relates to dry-sealingenvelopes or containers, i. e., envelopesl that are adapted to be sealedby bringing areas coated with dry-sealing adhesive vinto non-moistened.5 contact.

Dry-sealing envelopes are characterized by the provision ofcorrespondingly shaped areas of dry-sealing adhesive on differentpartsof each envelope, and special precautions have to beV taken inpacking and handling such envelopes, in

order to prevent accidental engagement between these adhesive areas,prior to the loading and.

sealing of the envelopes. According to the present. invention, the aboverequirements ,as to l5 handling and packing are met by providing eachenvelope with a' detachable portion which, in theV Iunsealed conditionof the envelope, prevents-accidental engagement between the adhesiveareas.,

Removal of the detachable portion places the envelope in condition forloading and sealing, and the detachable portion itself may be'utilizedto receive memorandaI concerning the contents of the envelope, or toserve as an enclosure. The above and other advantageous features of theinvention will hereinafter more fully appear .from

the following description ,.'considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a dry-sealing envelope embodying the invention.

3o Fig. 2 shows the envelope of Fig. l in unsealedcondition-'preparatory to packing.

Fig. 3 shows the envelope in sealed condition, with its detachableportion removed.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of envelope. I

Figs. 5 and 6 show the envelope of Fig. 4,- in condition for packing andsealing, respectively'.

Fig. 7 shows a further modification of the envelope'.

40 Fig. 8 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, showing theenvelope of Fig. 7, in condition for packing.

' Fig. 9 shows a further modification of the envelope.v l

Like reference characters refer to like parts in' the different figures.

Referring to Fig. l, the envelope comprises front and rear walls I lnd2,4I with a sealing fl/ap 3 extending from the frontwallfl. The rearwall 50 2 and the ap 3 are provided with correspondingly shaped'areas ofdry-sealing adhesive 4 and 3 that are symmetrically disposed, withreference to the fold line 6, between the sealing ilap 3 and front wallI. By the term dry-sealing adhesive is meant any adhesive which, in adry condition,

has the property of adhering to itself, upon non# moistened contact,although it will not so adhere to uncoated areas 'of the materialscommonly employed in the manufacture of envelopes or. other containersThe seal flap 3 provides an extension1 beyond a line of perforations 8,so-that the extension 1 can be folded over to `cover both dry-sealingadhesive areas I and 5, as shown in Fig. 2. Envelopes in this conditionmay be readily packed 10 and handled, with'out any possibility of thedrysealing adhesive areas coming into accidental contact, and with'thedry-sealing adhesive always protected from dust, so that it will notdeteriorate. When it is desired to load and seal the li envelope, thefiap extension 1 is turned back, as Shown in Fig. 1, and after loading,the ap 3 is folded along-the line 6 to bring the dry-sealing adhesiveareas 4 and 5 into' contact. Sealing is then accomplished by theapplication of pressure l to that part ofthe folded-over ap 3 which liesinwardly of the line of perforations 8.

The envelope of 1 is particularly adapted for use as a pay envelope,with the flap extension 1 vserving as a detachable coupon, which may besigned by the person vreceiving the pay, and there-A by serves as areceipt for the transaction. To this end, the side of the extension 1,which is uppermost in Fig. 2,- may be provided with suitableprinting 9,for 'indicating the contents of the 30 envelope. This printing 9 mayregister with printing III on the rear wall 2 when the fiap 3 is foldedover for sealing, and the under side of the coupon 1 may be providedwith transfer mate- In Fig. 4, a modied forni of the envelope is shown,whereinv the rear wall 2' is for` edin substantially the same manner asthe rear wall 2 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; said rear wall 2' and the seal 40iiap 3' provide drysealing adhesive areas 4' and. 5', in substantiallythe same'relation as in the envelope of Fig. 1. The bottom flap I2forming part of said rear wall .2' (i. e.the usual bottom closure byadhesion to the rear wall iiap or flapsl' 45 provides a free extensionI3 beyond a line of perforations I4, and this extension I3, when itoverlies and practically covers as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the wall 2',is long enoughto cover, the adhesive ,area 4. The seal flap 3 may thusbe 50 folded over for'- packing the envelope, with the end portion ofthe extension. I3 keeping the adhesive areas 4' and 5' out of contact,as shown in hesive areas 4"' turned back, as shown in Fig. 4, and thenthe extension I 3 is turned back and torn of! along the line ofperforations Il, before or after making the necessary entries Afterloading, the envelope over the flap 3' to engage the dry-sealingadhesive areas I' and 5', as shown in Fig. 6, lt being apparent thatthis envelope, unlike the form shown in Fig. 1, has the same over-al1length in both its unsealed and i'ts sealed condition.

In Fig. 7, an envelope of a form usually employed for mailing purposes,provides dry-sealing adhesive areas 4" and 5", the former on the rearwall 2" (corresponding substantially to the rear wall 2 of Fig. l) andthe latter on a seal ap 3". 'I'he bottom flap I5, forming part of therear wall and the bottom closure of the envelope, by'

adhesion to the overlying rear wall flap or naps,

`provides a free extension IB, inthe form of a folded letter sheet, lineof perforations joined to the flap I5 along a I'I. In packing theenvelope, the nap 3" is folded over to engage the folded end of theletter sheet I6, as shown in Fig. 8, thereby maintaining the dry-sealingadhesive areas 4'? and 5" out of contact.

In using the envelope, the ap 3" back and the letter sheet is turned I6written upon, either before or after the removal of the sheet by tearingalong the perforations Il. The sheet I5 is then inserted in the envelopepocket, and seal ing effected by folding over the flap 3" to engage thedry-sealing adhesive areas, with the application of pressure.

In the form of envelope shown in Fig. 9, a similar free extension I8from one of the flaps of rear wall 2" overlies said rear wall 2'" and isdetachable from said walls longitudinal edge by perforations I9, and inpacking, the upper edge of extension Il is disposed between the adon therear wall 2" and 5' on the seal ilap 3"'. In order to seal the envelope,the flap 3"' is turned back, as shown, and the extension Il torn offbefore loading.

. From the foregoing, it is apparent that by the present invention thereis provided a dry-sealing envelope, characterized by the provision of adetachable portion provided as an extension of one of the flaps .of theenvelope, which portion serves to maintain the dry-sealing adhesive areout of contact, when packing and handling the envelope. The detachableportion is also adapted to serve as a coupon for receiving memoranda, tobe retained by the user of the envelope, or as an enclosure sheet withwhich the envelope is loaded.

I claim:

1. An envelope having its body and a free flap provided withcomplemental areas of dry-sealing adhesive registerable with each otherwhen said Y flap is folded downwardly, and a detachable portionextending from said flap adapted to cover both of .said adhesive areas,for packing the envelope.

2. An envelope having its body and a free ap provided with complementalareas of dry-sealing adhesive registerable with each other when saidflap is folded downwardly, and a detachable portion extending from saidflap adapted to cover both of said adhesive areas for the envelope, withsaid detachable portion also covering the envelope body.

3. An envelope having its body and a. free flap at one end provided withcomplemental areas of dry-sealing adhesive registerable with each otherwhen said flap is folded downwardly, and a deon said extension. issealed by foldingand disposed between flap is folded downwardl tachableportion extending from the opposite end of the envelope for separatingsaid adhesive areas, prior to the use of such envelope.

4. An envelope having its body and a free flap at one end provided withcomplemental areas of dry-sealing adhesive registerable with each otherwhen said flap is folded tachable portion extending from the oppositeend of the envelope in overlying relation to the envelope body, forseparating said adhesive areas, prior to the use of such envelope.

5. An envelope having its body and a free flap provided withcomplemental areas of dry-sealing adhesive registerable with each otherwhen said flap is folded downwardly, and a letter sheet detachablysecured to the envelope body for separating said adhesive areas, priorto the use of such envelope.

6. An envelope having its body and a flap at one end provided withcomplemental areas of dry-sealing adhesive registerable with each otherwhen said ap is folded downwardly, and a let ter sheet detachablysecured to the opposite end of said envelope, said letter sheet beingfolded the adhesive areas, for packing the envelope.

downwardly, and a de- 7. An envelope having its bodyV and a free iaplprovided with complemental areas of dry-sealing adhesive registerablewith each other when said and a detachable portion extending from saidflap and foldable into engagement with the envelope body and saidadhesive areas. with printing on said detachable portion in registerwith printing on the envelope bOdy 8. In an envelope and a plurality ofother aps folded over and adhesively secured to provide the envelopesback wall, said back wall and said closure flap being provided withcomplemental areas of dry-sealing adhesive adapted to register with eachother when said closure flap is folded downwardly, and one of theaforesaid flaps having a free detachable extension adapted, in thepacking and handling of such envelopes prior to their use, to preventaccidental contact between said two areas of dry-sealing adhesive.,

9. In an envelope of the class described, a front wall, a closure ap,and a plurality of other flaps folded over and adhesively secured toprovide the envelopes back wall, said back wall and said closure flapbeing provided'with complemental areas of dry-sealing adhesive adaptedto register with each other when said closure flap is folded downwardly,and one of the aforesaid flaps having a free detachable extensionadapted, prior to the use of such envelope, to overlie said back walland thereby to prevent accidental contact between said two areas of-sealing adhesive in the packing and handling of such envelopes.

10. An envelope of the class described, comprising a front wall, aclosure flap, side and bottom flaps extending from said front wall andfolded over and adhesively secured to provide said envelopes back wall,said back wall and said closure flap having complemental areas ofdry-sealing adhesive adapted to register with one another when saidclosure ilap is folded downwardly, with said bottom iiap having a freedetachable extension overlying said back wall and normally interposedbetween said two areas of dry-sealing adhesive when said closure flap,in the packing and handling of such envelopes of the class described, a'front wall, a closure flap.

amasar 11. An envelope having its body and a free ap provided withcomplemental areas of dry-sealing adhesive, registerable with each otherwhen said ilap is folded downwardly, said envelope further 4 providing asecond free ap foldable into engagement with the envelope body and saidadhesive areas prior to the use oi such envelope, to prevent accidentalcontact between said dry-sealing adhesive areas in the packing -andhandling of such envelopes.

12. An envelope having its body and a free flap provided withcomplemental areas of dry-sealing y prlsing in combination. a frontadhesive, registerable with each other when said flap is foldeddownwardly, said envelope further providing a second free ap ioldable tooverlie said body and to be normally interposed between saiddry-sealingvadhesive areas when said mst-named flap, in the packing andhandling of such envelopes prior to their use, is folded over said body.

13. An envelope oi the self-sealing type comwall, side naps extendinsinwardly from opposte Asides oi said front wall and overlying the backface thereof. a

back wall member extending upwardly from the lower marginal edge oi saidfront wall and overlying the outside oi said side naps, a sealing aphinged to the upper marginal edge of said front wall and foldabledownwardly to the upper part of said back wall member, adhesive areas onsealing ilap and one oi said side to register with one another when saidsealing ilap is folded downwardly, the adhesive on said sealing flapbeing adapted to adhere to the adhesive on said side flap upon contacttherewith and the said adhesive area on the side flap being normallycovered by a certain portion of the back wall member so as to preventcontact of the adhesive areas, and a. line of perforations extendingthrough said back wall member to facilitate removal of said certainportion thereof, all adapted and arranged whereby said certain portionof the back wall member may be removed so as to uncover the adhesivearea on the side ap and said sealing nap may be folded downwardly sothat its adhesive area contacts the adhesive area on the side flap andadheres thereto for sealing said envelope.

VINC

ENT E. HEYWOOD.

flaps arranged

